Plata PK Wins TFC Training Friendly

Charleston, South Carolina -- Toronto FC continued their preseason with a 1-0 victory over Charleston College on Thursday in a friendly match in Charleston, South Carolina. Joao Plata scored the game’s lone goal off a penalty kick in the 40th minute.

“I was satisfied with the play of the younger players. When you play a college team all of the players have to help the younger ones and set a good example and they did that today,” said Toronto FC head coach and technical director Aron Winter.

The game was played in an unorthodox format with three 30 minute halves. Toronto had a handful of opportunities in the early going but failed to finish any of their chances.

Following the first stoppage Toronto made six changes to the lineup that started the game including 16-year old Academy player Keven Aleman.

In the 33rd minute of the game Toronto had their best scoring opportunity as Joao Plata chipped his pass into open space to find Maicon Santos. The Brazilian forward had the goalkeeper beaten but sent his left footed shot just past the far post.

At the 40th minute Plata was fouled in the box resulting in a penalty. The Ecuadorian native made no mistake, calmly putting his penalty into the low corner to give Toronto a 1-0 lead.

Charleston had an opportunity to tie the game as they were awarded a penalty at the 53rd minute, but the shot went well over the bar keeping Toronto ahead.

Toronto made another round of changes for the final 30 minutes and played solid in the back to cut off any Charleston advances. The Reds appeared to go up by two goals in the 80th minute after a precise cross from right back Demitrius Omphroy found the head of Keith Makubuya, only for the Academy star to be stopped by the Charleston goalkeeper.

Toronto will train on Friday morning and then play their first match of the Carolina Challenge Cup on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. ET against the Chicago Fire. Fans can watch a live stream and chat at TorontoFC.ca.